Grand Canyon Engulfed! Megafire Devastates Historic North Rim!
Grand Canyon's North Rim Suffers Catastrophic Wildfire Damage
A raging wildfire, dubbed the Dragon Bravo Fire, has transformed a significant portion of the Grand Canyon's North Rim into a charred landscape. Ignited by a lightning strike on July 4th, the fire quickly escalated, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, ultimately reaching "megafire" status, exceeding 100,000 acres burned.
The blaze, now the largest wildfire in the continental United States in 2025, has consumed over 111,970 acres and is only 9% contained. The intense heat has also spurred the formation of pyrocumulus clouds, creating erratic weather patterns and further fueling the fire's spread. Nearly 1,200 personnel are battling the inferno, struggling against challenging terrain and extreme fire weather.
Historic Lodge Destroyed, North Rim Closed
Tragically, the Dragon Bravo Fire has caused significant damage to infrastructure, including the destruction of the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and the Grand Canyon Visitor's Center. Dozens of other buildings within the North Rim have also been lost. Due to the extensive damage and ongoing fire risk, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon National Park will remain closed for the remainder of the 2025 season.
The fire has now become the 10th largest wildfire in Arizona since 1990, scorching an area more than three times the size of Phoenix. Firefighters are focused on protecting remaining structures, cultural sites on the Walhalla Plateau, and preventing the fire from spreading further into protected areas of the Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest.
Ongoing Efforts and Future Outlook
Despite cloud cover offering a slight reprieve, fire crews continue to implement a full suppression strategy. Air resources are working to slow the fire's spread, while night operations focus on holding containment lines. The Bureau of Land Management has posted details about closures in the affected areas. Smoke will continue to be visible in surrounding communities.
- North Rim closed for the remainder of 2025.
- Fire has surpassed 111,970 acres.
- Historic Grand Canyon Lodge destroyed.